Question 1: Define the term 'family policy' and explain its purpose in society.

Answer: Family policy refers to government strategies and laws aimed at supporting and regulating family life. Its purpose is to promote social stability, support families' needs, and address demographic or social issues.

Question 2: Identify and describe two forms of family policy implemented in the UK.

Answer: Examples include parental leave policies, which allow parents time off work after childbirth, and child benefit schemes, which provide financial support to families with children.

Question 3: Explain how state-funded childcare services can influence family structures in the UK.

Answer: State-funded childcare can enable parents, especially mothers, to return to work, potentially leading to increased employment among women, changing traditional gender roles within families, and supporting dual-income households.

Question 4: Draw a simple diagram illustrating how government policies might support different types of families (e.g., nuclear, extended, single-parent).

Answer: A correct sketch would show different family types with arrows pointing to various policies such as tax benefits for nuclear families, social housing support for extended families, and child grants or support services for single-parent families.

Question 5: Discuss two potential positive effects of family policies on children’s wellbeing.

Answer: Family policies like free education and healthcare can improve children’s health, development, and access to opportunities, leading to better life chances and social stability.

Question 6: Identify a family policy that aims to support the elderly and describe its purpose.

Answer: The UK pension system is a family policy that provides financial support to elderly individuals, ensuring income security and reducing poverty among older adults.

Question 7: Evaluate the impact of family policies on traditional gender roles within UK families.

Answer: Family policies such as parental leave and childcare support can challenge traditional gender roles by encouraging shared parenting responsibilities and enabling women to participate more equally in the workforce.

Question 8: Sketch a flowchart showing how a new family policy (e.g., extended parental leave) could affect family dynamics.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a starting point (introduction of policy), leading to outcomes such as increased parental involvement, improved parent-child relationships, and greater gender equality in caregiving roles.

Question 9: Describe one criticism of family policies in the UK and explain why some people hold this view.

Answer: Critics argue that some family policies may favor certain family types (e.g., nuclear families) over others, potentially marginalizing single-parent families or those in extended family arrangements.

Question 10: Explain how family policies can influence social inequality among different social classes.

Answer: Family policies like free school meals or housing support can reduce inequality by providing disadvantaged families with better opportunities, though some argue that access and quality of these policies may still vary by social class.